Optical and Infrared Astronomy
The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian Optical and Infrared Astronomy (OIR) division focuses on extragalactic and galactic astronomy emphasizing studies of the large-scale structure of the Universe, clusters of stars and of galaxies, and the formation and evolution of stars and planets by using data from satellite-, balloon-, and ground-based observatories; and development of spectroscopy and imaging techniques.
Optical and Infrared Astronomy
The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian Optical and Infrared Astronomy (OIR) division has two major charges. One is to operate and develop telescopes and associated instruments and the other is to do forefront research on a wide variety of galactic and extragalactic topics, often but not exclusively using those very telescopes.
OIR operates the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory on Mt Hopkins in Arizona, which is comprised of the MMT, a 6.5m telescope jointly operated with the University of Arizona, and three smaller telscopes, a 1.5m, a 1.3m and a 1.2m telescope, all using instruments built in the OIR division. Several robotic telescopes are also located nearby: the HAT project, Minerva, and Mearth, all being run by other groups under the umbrella of the OIR division. The Veritas gamma ray array is located at the base of Mt Hopkins, operated by a consortium of universities worldwide.
The OIR division also has provided the Magellan 6.5m Clay telescope with an f/5 secondary mirror and a wide field imager, further enhancing the abilities of that telescope for CfA astronomers.
Astronomers in the division were key players in the development of the NASA Spitzer telescope, providing one of the essential instruments, and have contributed to the design of several subsequent satellites. OIR scientists are also major contributors to the design of the Giant Magellan Telescope to be located on Las Campanas, and to two of the instruments under construction that will be used at first light, in 2029.
Key research programs of OIR scientists include the large scale structure of the universe, evolution of galaxies in clusters, the explosive activity in galaxy nuclei, the history of star formation in galaxies, the detailed structure of our own Milky Way galaxy and the nearest galaxy, Andromeda, and the study of explosive stars, both near and far.
A New Tool For Discovery
The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) will begin a new era of observation in astrophysics, and represents a huge leap forward in the technology used for astronomy. Equipped with instrumentation capable of detecting the spectral signature of atmospheric oxygen in distant exoplanets, the GMT may be humanity’s next best chance of discovering signs of life on other worlds.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GIANT MAGELLAN TELESCOPE
- Neutron Stars and White Dwarfs
- Dark Energy and Dark Matter
- Detector Technology
- Elemental Abundances
- Exoplanets
- Galaxy Formation and Evolution
- Galaxy Clusters
- Star Clusters
- Supernovas & Remnants
- Telescopes
- Time Domain Astronomy
- Large Scale Structure
SAO Telescope Data Center
The SAO Telescope Data Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, supports the above optical telescopes operated by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian with the following services:
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How to submit proposals for MMT, Magellan and FLWO telescopes.
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Optical Telescope Schedules. Current and past schedules for the FLWO 1.2-meter, FLWO 1.5-meter, MMT and Magellan telescopes are online.
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Observing and Local Documentation. All documents relating to observing preparation, reduction and archiving, and more.
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Catalog Resources. Access to vast catalogs of sources.
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Data Reduction and Analysis Software. Software to process and analyze optical telescope data.
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Optical Telescope Data Archive for reduced data from Hectospec spectrograph. (Other instrument data to be added).
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Optical Telescope Data Archive of spectral data from other instruments: the FAST spectrograph, Z-Machine spectrograph, and the MMT Blue Channel Reticon Spectrograph.
The Time Allocation Committee (TAC) manages proposals and allocation of CfA OIR telescope time.
Related News
Giant Magellan Telescope Mount Fabrication Begins
Extreme Weight Loss: Star Sheds Unexpected Amounts of Mass Just Before Going Supernova
The Giant Magellan Telescope’s Final Mirror Fabrication Begins
The Case of the Missing Jupiters: Gas Giant Planets are a No-Show around Small Red Stars
Hungry Black Hole Twists Captured Star into Donut Shape
Kilonova Discovery Challenges our Understanding of Gamma-Ray Bursts
‘We’ve Never Seen Anything Like This Before:’ Black Hole Spews Out Material Years After Shredding Star
JWST’s First Full-Color Images, Data Are Set to Sound
Astronomers Detect Carbon Dioxide on Planet for the First Time with JWST
Hubble Sees Red Supergiant Star Betelgeuse Slowly Recovering after Blowing its Top
Projects
2MASS Redshift Survey
AstroAI
Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI)
GMACS
For Scientists
James Webb Space Telescope Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES)
Sensing the Dynamic Universe
SDU Website
Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS)
The H3 Stellar Spectroscopic Survey
CASTLES Survey
CfA Redshift Catalog
The Star Formation Reference Survey
Telescopes and Instruments
1.2 Meter (48-inch) Telescope
Visit the 1.2-Meter (48 Inch) Telescope Website
1.3 Meter Telescope
Visit the 1.3 Meter Telescope Website
1.5-meter Tillinghast (60-inch) Telescope
CfA Operated (OIR) | Open to CfA Scientists | Active
Visit the 1.5 Meter (60 Inch) Tillinghast Telescope Website
Giant Magellan Telescope
Visit the GMT Website
Kepler/K2
Visit the Kepler/K2 Website
Magellan Telescopes
Visit the Magellan Telescopes Website
MMT Observatory
Visit the MMT Website
Pan-STARRS-1 Science Consortium
Visit the Pan-STARRS1 Science Consortium Website
Spitzer Space Telescope
Visit the Spitzer Space Telescope IRAC Page
Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)
Visit the TESS Website